5 Tips to Keep Your Car in Top Shape
Preventive maintenance can keep your auto running longer.
- Don’t run on fumes
Avoid letting your gas tank fall to less than a quarter full. The reason? Most electric gas pumps are inside the gas tank and stay cool by being surrounded by gasoline. If the pump isn’t submerged, it can get hot, which can shorten its life. - Check the cabin air filter
Most cars now come with a cabin air filter, which cleans outdoor air before it comes inside. Typically, the filter should be changed every 50,000 miles. If not, it can become clogged. If you notice that the vehicle’s cooled or heated air flow is reduced, the cause may be a clogged cabin air filter. Clearing or changing the filter might avoid a more costly diagnostic bill.
- Don’t ignore antifreeze
Have your antifreeze checked every 30,000 miles to confirm that it will provide freeze protection and that it’s not acidic. Antifreeze, when new, is alkaline. Over time, it becomes acidic and can damage the radiator, engine block, heater core, rubber hoses and more. - Know the signs of overheating
If you continue to drive a car with an overheated engine, you can cause serious damage. But you might not realize the engine is overheating. For one thing, the temperature gauge may read improperly if it’s not submerged in coolant.Other warnings of an overheating engine include the cabin heater no longer producing heat or the air conditioner shutting down. If you hear engine rattles or pings, turn off the engine immediately to prevent serious damage.
- Heed a flashing check-engine light
Stop the vehicle as soon as feasible if the check engine light comes on and flashes. But if the light remains steady, you can probably continue to drive it in to get it serviced, provided your car has sufficient fluids and is in good condition.
